Vargas is coming off the wings of his breakthrough performance – a close decision win over another (ex)-undefeated boxer Khabib Allakhverdiev (19-0, 9 KOs) in April.

ovikov’s co-promoter Alexey Vasiliev of the Ural Boxing Promotions urges Vargas not to overlook Novikov in search for a (probable) lucrative rematch against Allakhverdiev.

“Vladimir Hryunov is moving too fast [to the future] by talking about a rematch between Vargas and Allakhverdiev," said Vasiliev to Allboxing.ru. “Maybe this rematch is taking place this fall but I’m not that sure that it’ll be a title fight. Vargas should first defend his belt against Anton Novikov, and only then think about his future. He shouldn’t build plans over Novikov."